I have a few questions for those of you who have built your motor up, which radiator are you using. I did a search but almost all the people who have topics have the 86-87 cars with the electric fans, I'm still using my clutch fan. I finally got my engine in and have drove it twice. The car starts out at 180 degrees warmed up in idle (I have a 180 fail safe thermostat in it), then when driving it will hover around 200-210 until I idle again then it approaches 210 constantly. I took my thermostat out and checked it in boiling water and it open and closes fine. I've checked the coolant, have a new water pump, radiator cap, along with upper and lower hoses. I'm thinking my stock radiator can't handle the extra heat generated from the increase in power, which isn't alot, bored .030 over, bigger cam, ta33 turbo, injectors, fuel pump. I read somewhere the factory 84-85 is the same one used in N/A 79-87's? Anyone know how many core the factory radiator is on a 84-85 GN? I've been looking at a few upgrade options, a 89 GTA 5.7 radiator. They have two listed for it, a 1 row aluminum/plastic tanks or a 3 row copper/brass core and brass tanks, price difference of 2 dollars. I also seen they have a Factory replacement 3 row brass/copper witha 2" thick core. I measured my factory core on my car it is only 1 5/8 thick? I know be cool would be the way to go, but i don't have 500-700 dollars for one. All help would be greatly appreciated, thanks ahead of time.
Which radiator are you using, 84-85 people?
- Thread starter GNR85
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Get the radiator that is listed for the G-body cars with a V8...The V8 radiator is wider the V6 radiator...Also use the V8 radiator core support(the plate that holds the radiator to the core support at the top...You can get it at the salvage yards)...The only thing you will need to figure out is how to put the V6 fan shroud back on...Your other option is to forget the fan shroud and go with electric fans(like the Ramchargers dual fans)...
You don't need the high dollar radiators, just a bigger one than one you have...If you have already done the 86/7 ecm swap, you can also buy Casper's electric fan install kit for the 84/5 cars so that the ECM will control the fan turn-on and off...It works great...
You don't need the high dollar radiators, just a bigger one than one you have...If you have already done the 86/7 ecm swap, you can also buy Casper's electric fan install kit for the 84/5 cars so that the ECM will control the fan turn-on and off...It works great...
radiators--
I have a 84TT w/ a 4.1L .035 over,,AND I live in the desert--Rairly ever gets under 95 for 4 mos of the year--my stock radiator wasnt holding the temps well,always around 195-210 +,I got a azgn radiator thats made for a 86/87 ,now temps run 180-190,and I`m still using my stock clutch fan !! I got a ramchargers duel fan ,but have not put it on,so I cant give you a comparison on the two. I used the 86/87 radiator cause I wanted the oil cooler it provides,Helps keep everything cool,,anyway, this set-up worked for me----Jack
I have a 84TT w/ a 4.1L .035 over,,AND I live in the desert--Rairly ever gets under 95 for 4 mos of the year--my stock radiator wasnt holding the temps well,always around 195-210 +,I got a azgn radiator thats made for a 86/87 ,now temps run 180-190,and I`m still using my stock clutch fan !! I got a ramchargers duel fan ,but have not put it on,so I cant give you a comparison on the two. I used the 86/87 radiator cause I wanted the oil cooler it provides,Helps keep everything cool,,anyway, this set-up worked for me----Jack
Turbo Riviera
New Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2001
- Messages
- 442
I'm too cheap for that stuff... 
I picked up an aluminum cored radiator from a mid 80's Chevrolet Celebrity diesel. It has transmission and oil cooler provisions and fits nicely with minor modifications. It's wider than stock and is aluminum for better cooling. got it from a wrecking yard and had it re-cored for under $100.
I picked up an aluminum cored radiator from a mid 80's Chevrolet Celebrity diesel. It has transmission and oil cooler provisions and fits nicely with minor modifications. It's wider than stock and is aluminum for better cooling. got it from a wrecking yard and had it re-cored for under $100.
Originally posted by Turbo Riviera
I'm too cheap for that stuff...
I picked up an aluminum cored radiator from a mid 80's Chevrolet Celebrity diesel. It has transmission and oil cooler provisions and fits nicely with minor modifications. It's wider than stock and is aluminum for better cooling. got it from a wrecking yard and had it re-cored for under $100.
I also got mine from a FWD diesel car and it works great.
Make sure you decide now if you plan on keeping the mechanical fan or going with electric. The radiators made for mechanical fans don't work too well with electric fans. The fin count is too low.
Thanks all for your replies, I got a 88 Monte Carlo SS radiator (3 core brass/copper 26" long, 6 more inches than the stocker) and used some Icey cool, cost me 93 bucks plus tax at advance. My temp hasn't went over 200 degrees (at idle) 80-90 degree weather and runs right at 185 moving. I guess this is all the better its going to get with the 185 degree thermostat in, winter is coming anyways. Next summer I will drop me in a 160 degree thermostat and see what that does for me.
fullahotair
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 940
I got a 4 core radiator that i use in my 82 cutlass. It takes all of the radiator space, i think i actually had to put a slight bend in rad support thinger to get it to fit. I can get the part number if need be, i got it from Advance. The car never goes above 180.
N8
N8
